This watermelon lemonade is a refreshing blend of sweet watermelon and tart lemon, perfect for quenching your thirst on a hot day. With just a few simple ingredients, it’s easy to make and bursting with fresh, fruity flavors. Serve over ice for a cool and refreshing drink that everyone will love.
The combination of watermelon and lemons is a refreshing and delightful pairing that brings together the sweet, juicy flavor of watermelon with the tangy, citrusy zing of lemons. The natural sweetness of watermelon balances beautifully with the tartness of lemons, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that is both satisfying and refreshing.
Why make this drink?
- Fresh Ingredients: This recipe uses fresh watermelon and lemon juice, ensuring a vibrant and natural flavor.
- No Artificial Flavors or Colors: By using fresh fruit and natural sweeteners, this recipe avoids artificial additives.
- Refreshing and Hydrating: Watermelon is high in water content, making this lemonade a refreshing and hydrating drink, perfect for hot days.
- Beautiful Presentation: Garnishing with lemon slices and mint leaves adds a visually appealing touch, making this lemonade great for serving at gatherings or parties.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Watermelon – The best watermelons are the ones that are bright red and juicy. A good practice is to let the grocer cut and check before you buy, so you know that you’re getting a good one. I like to strain the pureed watermelon through a fine mesh strainer because it looks nicer and it’s smoother to drink. Having said that, pulp is a good fiber and is good for you.
- Lemon juice – There is nothing more refreshing than fresh lemon juice. You can also use lime juice. I like to use Meyer lemons.
- Sugar – I use white sugar, but simple syrup or honey also works. Adjust the sweetness depending on how sweet the watermelon is.
- Liquid – I like to use sweet sparkling water so that I can omit the sugar, but you can also use classic sparkling water or plain water.
- Garnish – I usually use fresh lemon wedges, watermelon wedges, or fresh basil or mint leaves. You can also use the curled lemon rind.
Step-by-step: Watermelon lemonade
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and 1/2 cup of water, and heat over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Let the syrup cool.
- In a blender, puree the watermelon until smooth. Strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve into a large pitcher, pressing on solids to extract as much juice as possible.
- Add the lemon juice, sugar syrup, and cold still or sparkling water to the pitcher with the watermelon juice. Stir to combine.
- Taste and adjust the sweetness if necessary by adding more sugar.
- Serve over ice cubes, garnished with lemon slices and mint leaves if desired.
Frequently asked questions
Watermelon lemonade will last for about 2-3 days in the refrigerator. After that, the flavor may start to degrade.
Yes, you can use honey, agave syrup, or simple syrup as a substitute for sugar. Adjust the amount based on your preferred level of sweetness.
While a blender makes it easier to puree the watermelon, you can still make watermelon lemonade without one. Simply mash the watermelon with a fork or potato masher and strain the juice through a sieve.
Yes, you can use lime juice instead of lemon juice for a slightly different flavor. Lime juice tends to be a bit more tart than lemon juice, so you may need to adjust the sweetness accordingly.
Yes, you can add vodka, rum, or tequila to watermelon lemonade to make a refreshing summer cocktail. Adjust the amount of alcohol based on your preference.
Watermelon Lemonade
This watermelon lemonade is a refreshing blend of sweet watermelon and tart lemon, perfect for quenching your thirst on a hot day. With just a few simple ingredients, it's easy to make and bursting with fresh, fruity flavors. Serve over ice for a cool and refreshing drink that everyone will love.
Video
Ingredients
- 4 cups (600 g) Cubed seedless watermelon
- 1 cup (240 ml) Fresh lemon juice (about 4-6 lemons)
- ½ cup (100 g) Granulated sugar adjust to taste
- 4 cups (1 l) Cold water divided
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slices and mint leaves for garnish optional
Method
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar with 1/2 cup of water and heat over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved. Let the syrup cool.½ cup Granulated sugar
- Puree the watermelon in a blender until smooth. Strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve into a large pitcher, pressing on solids to extract as much juice as possible.4 cups Cubed seedless watermelon
- Add the lemon juice, sugar syrup, and cold still or sparkling water to the pitcher with the watermelon juice. Stir to combine.1 cup Fresh lemon juice , 4 cups Cold water
- Taste and adjust the sweetness if necessary by adding more sugar.
- Serve over ice cubes, garnished with lemon slices and mint leaves if desired.Ice cubes, Lemon slices and mint leaves for garnish
Notes
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- Choose Ripe Watermelon: Select a ripe and sweet watermelon for the best flavor. Look for a melon that feels heavy for its size and has a creamy yellow spot on the bottom where it sat on the ground.
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- Use Fresh Lemons: Freshly squeezed lemon juice will give your lemonade a bright, vibrant flavor. Avoid using bottled lemon juice if possible.
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- Adjust Sweetness: Taste the lemonade before serving and adjust the amount of sugar or sweetener as needed. Some watermelons are sweeter than others, so that you may need more or less sugar.
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- Strain the Watermelon: Strain the watermelon puree through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any pulp or seeds. This will give your lemonade a smooth consistency.
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- Chill Before Serving: For the most refreshing experience, chill the lemonade in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. You can also serve it over ice cubes.
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- Garnish for Presentation: Add a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint to each glass for a beautiful presentation. This is especially nice if you serve lemonade at a party or gathering.
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
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Hi, I’m Veena
I’m the recipe developer, baker, and food photographer behind Veena Azmanov Kitchen.
I’ve spent years developing and testing recipes, from everyday meals and homemade breads to cakes and desserts.
I share the practical tips and little details I’ve learned along the way so you can get great results in your own kitchen.
Oh wow – so refreshing and zingy!
This is by far the most refreshing drink I have ever tasted and perfect for this hot Florida weather! Thanks so much!